Edexcel International A-Level Economics: Frequent mistakes

Pearson Edexcel Principal Examiner Feedback for International A-level Economics emphasises application to data, complete definitions, diagram labelling and evaluation. Copying without analysis limits marks.

Data response and analysis

Copying from extracts

Several candidates copy paragraphs directly from source materials without demonstrating their own analysis. This prevents access to analysis marks. Repeatedly flagged.

Fix: Use the data but analyse it. “This suggests…”, “The data indicates…”, “This implies…” Don’t copy; interpret.

Insufficient application to data

Application marks—requiring simple references to provided information—are frequently the least likely marks to be recorded. Candidates answer in general terms.

Fix: Refer to specific figures. “According to Extract 2…”, “The table shows…”

Weak chains of reasoning

Students struggle to develop analysis with clear logical progressions to achieve higher Knowledge, Application, and Analysis (KAA) marks.

Fix: Link points. “This leads to…”, “Therefore…”, “As a result…”

Definitions

Incomplete definitions

When explaining concepts (e.g. Gini coefficient, relative poverty), many give only part of the definition. E.g. just “A/(A+B)” or only “median”—accessing 1 mark instead of 2.

Fix: Full definition. Gini: ratio of area between Lorenz curve and line of equality to total area. Relative poverty: % below proportion of median income.

Evaluation

Solutions instead of answer

Many responses fail to access evaluation marks because they provide solutions to problems rather than directly addressing what was asked (e.g. “evaluate the impact” not “suggest policies”).

Fix: Answer the question. “Evaluate” = judge impact, effectiveness. Don’t offer solutions unless asked.

Multiple choice

Misreading and concept confusion

Students frequently misread questions or confuse related concepts. E.g. “terms of trade” vs. “trade balance”; exchange rates; real pay growth.

Fix: Terms of trade = index of export/import prices. Trade balance = part of current account. Read carefully.

Diagrams

Axis labelling

Students analysing diagrams frequently lose marks for inaccurate axis labelling. P, Q, labels for curves, shifts.

Fix: Label axes (P, Q, or Y, X). Label curves (S, D, AD, AS). Show shifts clearly.

Calculations

Wrong calculation type

Candidates sometimes fail to answer the precise calculation requested—e.g. calculating percentage change when absolute change was asked.

Fix: Read carefully. “Percentage change” = ((new − old) / old) × 100. “Absolute change” = new − old.

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Based on Pearson Edexcel International A-level Economics Principal Examiner Feedback (WEC11, WEC12, WEC14).